An Environment of AWE
Welcome! I am delighted that you are considering the option to raise a Child of AWE! Congratulations!! It takes courage to seek something different, and I am proud of you for taking this first step on your journey; bravo!
This path isn’t the easiest, for sure. It does require a lot of commitment from you, the parent. But it is the most rewarding. I can vouch for that. It may take a lot of effort initially to raise your kids without devices and without filling every minute of their day with activities or classes. But once the rhythm gets going, you'll be astonished at how incredibly easy and enjoyable parenting will be!
Take a deep breath. Relax your body. You got this.
Shall we begin?
No prizes for guessing the elephant in the room: it’s screens. I won’t delve into the details of their negative effects on our children and ourselves; we all know how addictive, depleting, and disruptive they can be. The fact that you are here, seeking an alternative way to raise your child, likely indicates that you have witnessed these effects firsthand.
That’s why one of the prerequisites for raising Children of AWE is to eliminate screens altogether. Yes, we’re talking about a screen-free environment. This means no phones, iPads, laptops, or video games for the kids, and, if possible, no TV either. In our family, we enjoy weekly family movie nights using a projector, which has become a cherished tradition.
I understand this might seem challenging and definitely out of the ordinary, but just hear me out: the real world offers plenty of entertainment and distraction if we take a moment to notice. Trust me, no one will miss these devices after a few weeks or months of living this lifestyle—not even you. Breaking an addiction is never easy, and screen addiction is no different. That’s why I recommend starting screen-free from the very beginning.
But how do you keep a little one entertained without using your sanity?